Upcoming events
Enter the next challenge.
Big steps on little legs — for fun, fitness and equine welfare.
BIG ADVENTURES. LITTLE HORSES.
Find your next Born to Run challenge.
From virtual challenges you can complete anywhere in the world to multi-day adventures across the wild Far North of New Zealand, our events are about getting outside, getting active and doing something extraordinary with small equines.
Bring your own horse or borrow one of ours; no prior horse experience needed.
Our Races
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THE GREAT NORTHERN GALLOP
The world's longest miniature horse race.
100km | 4 days | Far North, New Zealand
Easter Weekend - Every Year since 2021
Then an amazing image of the minis on 90 Mile Beach.
100 kilometres. Four days. One very small equine teammate.
Run or walk through beaches, farmland and forestry alongside a team of miniature horses in an adventure race unlike anything else in the world.
THE SOUTHERN STAMPEDE — COMING 2027
Born to Run is heading south!
In 2027, the Born to Run Adventure Racing team is taking on the South Island for an all-new four-day adventure race.
New terrain. New challenges. Little horses. One BIG southern adventure.
South Island, New Zealand
Four days of racing
2027
WATCH THIS SPACE — MORE DETAILS COMING SOON!
THE 24 HOUR CHALLENGE
How far can you and your little equine teammate go in 24 hours?
The Born to Run 24 Hour Challenge is all about testing your endurance, having an adventure and seeing just how many kilometres you can clock up together.
The challenge takes place over a marked loop course, with competitors completing as many laps as they choose during the 24-hour period. Walk, run, rest, eat, sleep — the strategy is completely up to you. You can stop whenever you need to and head back out when you're ready.
You don't have to keep moving for the full 24 hours and you don't have to be an ultra-runner to take part. Set yourself a goal, look after your equine teammate and see just how far those little legs can take you!
🐴 24 hours. Your pace. Your strategy. Your adventure.
THE VIRTUAL CHALLENGE
Your horse. Your distance. Your adventure — anywhere in the world!
Our Virtual Challenges are the easiest way to join the Born to Run adventure, no matter where you live. Choose your distance, then walk or run with your miniature horse, pony or donkey and complete your kilometres at your own pace throughout the challenge.
Everything is easily recorded online, so simply log your activities as you go and watch your kilometres add up. You can take part on your favourite local trails, around the farm, along the beach or wherever you and your equine teammate love to explore.
There’s 4 Races 4 times a year, with a chance to win the overall prize if you take part in all of them.
🌎 Take part anywhere | Choose your distance | Track it online | Support equine rescue
Virtual or In-person event, every entry helps Born to Run Adventure Racing rescue miniature horses in need while encouraging owners to get outside, get active and give their small equines the exercise and enrichment they deserve.
RACING FOR GOOD
EVERY KM HELPS A HORSE
Born to Run Adventure Racing is about much more than racing.
Every time you enter a Born to Run event, you're helping us do something bigger. Entry fees from our races and virtual challenges help fund the rescue, rehabilitation and ongoing care of miniature horses and small equines in need.
The money raised through our events goes straight back into the horses, helping cover the very real costs of rescue — from transport, feed, veterinary and hoof care through to rehabilitation, training and ultimately finding horses safe and suitable homes.
But we believe good equine welfare is about much more than simply rescuing horses.
LITTLE HORSES STILL NEED TO BE HORSES
One of the biggest welfare challenges facing miniature horses world wide is obesity, lack of exercise and a lifestyle that doesn't allow them to simply be horses.
Because they're small and often kept primarily as pets or companions, it's easy for miniature horses to become paddock ornaments — enormously loved, but overfed, under-exercised and underestimated.
Small doesn't mean incapable.
Miniature horses still need movement, stimulation, companionship, appropriate exercise and opportunities to use their bodies and minds. They are incredibly tough, intelligent and capable little equines, and with the right preparation they can walk, run, explore and take on far bigger adventures than many people realise.
That's a huge part of why Born to Run exists.
We want to challenge the idea that a miniature horse's best life is simply standing in a paddock looking cute. We want to encourage owners to get outside with their horses, build their fitness gradually and responsibly, explore new places and discover just how much fun you can have together.
PURPOSE. MOVEMENT. ADVENTURE.
Our events are designed to promote good equine welfare through exercise, enrichment and adventure.
Whether you're walking a few kilometres in one of our Virtual Challenges or preparing for a multi-day adventure race, the emphasis is always on developing a happy, healthy and well-prepared equine partner.
For some of our own rescue horses, that journey becomes even more special.
Horses that come into our care without a clear future can go on to become part of the Born to Run team. With time, training and careful conditioning, they can discover a completely different life filled with people, movement, challenges and adventure.
They aren't simply rescued and put in a paddock. Where it's right for the individual horse, we want to give them enrichment, a job and a sense of purpose.
Some become adventure partners. Some help introduce people to miniature horses. Some take part in our events. Others find the perfect new home and a completely different purpose.
Every horse is an individual, and their welfare will always come before kilometres, competition or results.
WHEN YOU CROSS A FINISH LINE, YOU'RE HELPING ANOTHER HORSE REACH A STARTING LINE.
Your entry doesn't just buy you a place in an event. It helps us continue rescuing and rehabilitating horses while supporting a movement that celebrates what these incredible little equines can do.
So come and walk with us. Run with us. Take on a challenge. Get your little horse moving. Have an adventure together.
And help us change the way the world sees miniature horses.
Let's stop treating little horses like ornaments and start treating them like horses.
Let them move. Let them explore. Let them have a purpose. Let them be horses.
BIG STEPS ON LITTLE LEGS — FOR EQUINE WELFARE.
The Great Northern Gallop
A seriously big race with a lot of small horses. Born to Run Adventure presents our first ever long distance multi stage adventure race, The Great Northern Gallop.
100km multi-day race taking you through the Far North of New Zealand crossing farmland, forestry and beaches running alongside a miniature horse. Each day is approximately 25km covering terrain the general public would not normally have access to. Experience the wild west coast on 90 mile beach, come across wild horses in the forest and enjoy New Zealand’s rural charm staying on different farms.
Each night we will be camping in a new and unique location on the racecourse.
You can come for the adventure and go at your own leisurely pace, or put your racing shoes on and battle it out to be first across the line, taking out the title for the first ever Great Northern Gallop.
These little equines are born to run and they have plenty of courage, stamina and speed despite their small size. Even if you’ve never been around horses before you’ll fall in love with these little guys.
Bring your own horses or use a team of our horses to cover the distance. The horses carry a pack, maximum 7kgs, containing all the supplies you need for each day of racing, including lunch and water. You also must carry wet weather gear, a hoof pick and a race card at all times.
The horses must pass a vet check morning, half way and evening to continue racing. You could be the fastest runner in the field but you still need to manage your equine team to win. Strategy, determination and management also play their part in this race. It makes it more of an adventure than just simply running.
Participants using our horses will get two horses each which they will race on alternate days. You’ll get one pre race training day to meet, test out your horses and go over the rules and horse management, before setting off on some seriously fun racing.
Those bringing their own horses have two options, bring one miniature horse and be up for an extra ‘furthest fastest’ for the fittest and fastest small horse. Or bring a team and race them on alternate days like our team of horses do.
Enter Now to find out more details and options.